Explore interdisciplinary research

Our research transcends boundaries

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences exemplifies the New American University paradigm for interdisciplinary research, discovery and development to transform higher education. Our research initiatives integrate perspectives, concepts and theories from several disciplines and fields of expertise to advance our understanding of complex fundamental problems and create innovative solutions.

From incorporating the creativity and connectivity of intellectuals in the humanities to mixing different levels of expertise and methods of inquiry in the social and natural sciences, our researchers embrace interdisciplinary research, transcend traditional academic boundaries and generate new approaches to tackle some of the world’s most pressing concerns, such as eradicating food insecurity and disease.

Arizona State University professor and director of the Biodesign Institute’s Center for Molecular Design and Biomimetics Hao Yan and colleagues from MIT and Baylor College of Medicine describe a new method for designing geometric forms built from DNA. They present a novel variant on a technique known as DNA origami, in which the base-pairing properties of DNA are exploited for the construction of tiny structures in two and three dimensions.

In 2015, more than 60 million people were asylum seekers, internally displaced people or refuges according to the U.N. Refugee Agency. To accommodate the refugees in Arizona, the American Red Cross Greater Phoenix Chapter partnered with student organizations at ASU to provide hands-on STEM activities for children on World Refugee Day. The School for Earth and Space Exploration along with other units, programs and initiatives participated.

The McCain Institute’s Washington Policy Design Studio is a semester-long seminar that puts students in roles of a U.S. embassy in a foreign land. They tackle the same problems that real foreign service officers face, such as the trade relationship between the U.S. and Vietnam. Student research the bilateral relationships between two nations and respond to issues in real time, which helps them develop new skills and gain practical experience.

In new research appearing in the journal Science, a team of researchers used brilliant bursts of X-ray light to capture the movements of a photosensitive protein — one that enables a broad range of life forms to convert light into energy. The research represents a detailed picture of nature at work at the tiniest scale. Results of the study could pave the way for renewable energy, bio-inspired sensing devices and new drugs that target disease.

Interdisciplinary research in our college

250+

Research grants in the arts and sciences

7

Interdisciplinary research centers

$662 million

In research proposals

Ethics @ASU

Ethics @ASU promotes the idea of core values driving how we conduct ourselves personally, professionally, socially and civically. Through ethics research, our scholars find ways to encourage public discussion on various controversial and important issues. Learn more.

Health @ASU

Health @ASU educates scholars to make breakthroughs in health by cultivating transformative research and developing new initiatives to impact patients, hospitals, laboratories and more. There’s a myriad of health activities happening at ASU. Learn more

Science @ASU

Science @ASU serves as the core of scientific inquiry, exchange and collaboration at the university that’s No. 1 in the country for innovation. Our faculty and scholars strive for greatness in scientific research from psychology to space exploration. Learn more.